Step one: Come up with a thesis (a specific conclusion you will defend in the paper). Formulate your thesis so that it can be stated in a single sentence. Step two: Outline your main points. • Decide on the main points you want to make, and order them in a way that makes sense, and that allows you to coherently build a case for your thesis • Begin collecting illustrative/informative quotes from the readings, and place them under the points that they support/clarify • This is not a research essay, so you don’t need to consult any sources beyond the required and supplementary readings on the syllabus • It can strengthen your case, and clarify your conclusions, to address obvious objections to your thesis Step three: Write paper. Fill in your outline. Once you’ve done that, write a very short introductory paragraph that tells your reader what your paper aims to do, and how it will do it. Write a very short concluding paragraph emphasizing the take-away points, and how they were established. Give your paper a title. Write a bibliography. Put your textual references in some standard format (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).
